XXII

I pulled crimson petal
and petal
from my dying rose
to float there in the water;
though they didn’t stay
long
as the ship ****** on
ever faster

Goodbye was all the easier
the more mile we undertook
-and yet, each tear grew
looser
with every daydream I
dared dream
of my red and lovely rose.

FAITH, FAITH-
I screamed into the April air
America bring me hope for
I bring you
my huddled, my
poor
my
tired

Speed on, ever
faster